C V Sankar, additional chief secretary and principal secretary industry, Government of Tamil Nadu, is due to retire from service from end July 2016.

During his tenure at the helm of the industry department for close to three years Sankar helped formulate the state’s new industrial policy, the auto components policy and the bio-technology policy. His tenure also witnessed the inauguration of the Tidel Park 2 in Chennai and commencing work on Tidel Park 3 at Coimbatore and the inauguration of TICEL Life Sciences in Chennai metro.

Sankar referred to the construction of a sophisticated paperboards plant of Tamilnadu Newsprint and Paper Ltd at Mondipatti near Tiruchi in just 22 months as among the major landmarks of his tenure. He pointed to the involvement of several large corporations like the International paper giant Voith, Shapoorji Palonji, L&T… in the construction of the Rs. 2000 cr 200,000 tonne plant. Added to another 400,000 tonnes of printing paper capacity already, TNPL has emerged among the largest paper producers of the country.

The capacity of the Tamil Nadu Cements Ariyalur plant, being expanded from 0.5 mn tonnes to 1.5 mn tonnes at a cost of Rs. 750 cr is another significant landmark. Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation expanded through a salt refinery, washery, packing unit… has emerged profitable.

Sankar pointed to the TIDEL Park at Coimbatorem constructed at a cost of Rs. 400 cr that suffered the problem of under-occupancy, turned around; it has earned a profit during 2015-16.

Sankar has reason to feel happy: normally the industry department used to take comfort over industrial units in the private sector performing well; here a number of public sector units of the state government have been making profits!

Yet another landmark during Sankar’s tenure has been the Aerospace Park developed between Sriperumbudur and Oragadem, over 250 acres, becoming operational. “TIDCO has set up an advanced computer centre at this park. 14 companies have already been allotted over 60 acres of land,” said Sankar.

GIM, the crowning piece...

The crowning piece of Sankar’s stint was the successful conduct of the state’s first Global Investors Meet organised in September 2015. Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa led the effort from the front attracted business leaders from across the globe and India. I remember the meticulous planning and the detailed presentations made by Sankar and the team of senior ministers and officials at several metros across the world. 98 MoUs were signed with investments committed of Rs. 240,000 cr. Sankar expressed satisfaction that 64 of these have already taken off and are under various stages of implementation. A few of these are already under production. The wide participation from countries and companies from across the globe and the ability of the state to showcase its achievement on its special strengths to attract investments won wide acclaim. Gratified over the success, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister announced holding such meets as regular by-annual events. Work on GIM 2017 has already commenced!

Two more prestigious projects – of Delta Corporation, Ford

Sankar made special reference to two prestigious projects: one Taiwan’s computer giant Delta Corporation setting up a Rs. 4000 cr project in Krishnagiri District to manufacture a vast range of sophisticated electronic components for cell phones. The other is the Ford Global Technology and Business Centre to be set up over 28 acres at an estimated investment of Rs. 400 cr with potential for employing around 2000 located at Sholinganallur. This is considered to be the largest product development centre of Ford Motors outside the US, with rich facilities for design, research and development.

A reasonably long tenure as the head of industry department and entrusting these to an officer of the IAS with the rank of Chief Secretary enjoying the trust and confidence of the political leadership, have been at the base of the industrial department recording spectacular growth in several directions in recent years. Sankar has been accessible, professional in his approach, has been participating in very many public functions and effectively projected and articulated the very many strengths of Tamil Nadu.

One looks forward to his very considerable record of service utilised more.

IE, the business magazine from south was launched in 1968 and pioneered business journalism in south. Through the 45 years IE has been focusing on well-presented and well-researched articles. When giants in the industry stumbled to keep pace with the digital revolution, IE stayed affixed embracing technology.